When we at AllAboutJazz-New York start work on our November issue, we realize just how close to the end of the year we are. By the time you are reading this issue, the World Series will be nearly decided (Go Yankees?). Then at the end of the month is Thanksgiving and then the holiday season begins in earnest. We all start thinking about gift-giving and then plans for New Year's Eve. For the gazette, we are already narrowing our lists for Best of 2009 and dreading the unenviable task of compiling the list of jazz figures lost in the past year.

But we're not quite there yet so take advantage of your short-lived easygoing schedule with some music. November has lots to offer: a week of solos, duets and ensembles with John Medeski (Cover) at The Stone as well as an appearance with Medeski Martin and Wood and rare sets by pianist Amina Claudine Myers (Interview) as part of the AACM-New York Chapter concert series and reedman Frank Gratkowski at Roulette. It is always interesting to draw connections between our Big Three features but one thing is quite evident from this month's roster: jazz draws inspiration and vitality from a wide array of sources, cultures and backgrounds. And adding to that diversity are features on the German Konnex record label and the York College Performing Arts Center in Queens.

We continue the global trend with festival reports from Colombia and Germany and CD reviews of musicians from Israel, Britain, Poland, Italy, Norway, Hungary, Japan, Russia, Holland, Denmark, Portugal, Canada and all over the United States. We might be AllAboutJazz-New York but covering all that goes on in this international metropolis requires a wide global view. We all look forward to the holidays until they actually get here, with the reality of scheduling and logistics overwhelming our friendlier instincts. But don't forget the gift of jazz, both for yourself and others.

Plus the lines are shorter...we'll see you out there.